Another joyful week in parish life!
This week, Team One had the incredible opportunity to serve in Aberdeen and what a vibrant and faith-filled community it was! The parish was truly alive and on fire for Christ. Each evening’s program was full of energy and joy, with participants fully engaged. They listened attentively during talks, asked thoughtful questions, and jumped into the games with genuine enthusiasm. It was especially inspiring to see some of the high schoolers step up and assist with the day program; they were amazing!
The day program was just as electric! The kids were not only fun and energetic, but also deeply curious and eager to learn. Even after class, they continued asking insightful questions about purgatory, angels and the mysteries of our faith. Questions like: Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? How did he defeat the devil? How can we love Jesus more? If Jesus loves everyone, why doesn’t everyone go to heaven? Their hunger for truth was beautiful and humbling.
Spending time with these campers reminded me of the joy and freedom of being childlike. As we grow older, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by stress and worry, losing sight of simple joy. Yet Jesus reminds us time and again how essential rest and leisure are. This mission, while challenging at times, has never felt like a job. It’s teaching me how to smile through everything, embrace creativity, lean into imagination, find joy in learning, and most importantly, rest and rely fully on Jesus.
God gave me a gentle reminder this week about childlike dependency. I found myself praying about flowers. Flowers don’t move or chase the sun, they simply remain still. Even through storms, they trust they’ll receive the sunlight and water they need to grow. It’s the same with us. We don’t have to hustle or strive harder; we simply need to trust. The Lord will bring what we need in his perfect timing. And when he does, we will grow more beautifully and abundantly than we could have ever imagined.
